vcc.ca
OPTA 1245: Acute Care Principles and Practice - PTA
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Occup/Physical Therapist Asst
School
Health Sciences
Description
Building on previously learned knowledge and skills this course continues to focus on the practical skills required to successfully assist the Physical Therapist and their clients in acute care settings. The course emphasizes physiotherapy treatments and interventions to promote of functional mobility, balance and strength for clients with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, circulatory disorders within an acute care setting
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OPTA 1133.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the role of the physiotherapist and the physiotherapist assistant (PTA) in acute care settings
- Perform physiotherapy treatment techniques safely for clients with cardiac conditions.
- Perform physiotherapy treatment techniques and mobilization for post-surgery clients in an acute care setting.
- Explain the role of the PTA in suctioning and in the management of clients with tracheostomies and ventilators.
- Explain the role of the PTA in treatment of paediatric respiratory conditions.
- Provide physiotherapy treatment techniques for clients with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes complications.
- Respond to changes in client status during simulated acute care treatment sessions.
- Demonstrate safe and effective use common physiotherapy equipment used in an acute care setting.
- Implement common outcome measures used in acute care settings.
- Complete accurate health record documentation based on a simulated physiotherapy treatment session.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies may include: Lecture, seminar, on-line learning, assignments, problem-based
learning, videos, small group discussions, student-led review sessions, field trips and guest speakers. Lab
activities optimize student learning of the practical skills required to work as a PTA.
learning, videos, small group discussions, student-led review sessions, field trips and guest speakers. Lab
activities optimize student learning of the practical skills required to work as a PTA.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B- (68%) in both written and practical components of course
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Lab Work |
5-10 |
Lab work |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
40-50 |
Quizzes/tests |
|
Clinical Examination |
40-50 |
Clinical examinations |
|
Participation |
5 |
As per rubric |
Course topics
- Vital Signs and emergency situations
- Breathing exercises
- Oxygen therapy
- Secretion removal
- Mobilizing surgical clients
- Rehabilitation post cardiac event
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Tracheostomies, suction and ventilators
- General respiratory conditions
- Peripheral vascular disease and diabetes
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.